Stewart also played alongside Atkins, finishing runner-up to the rookie in the VFL best-and-fairest in 2016.

“I think it’s a bit closer to home with Tommy, just to see – as a lot of people have seen over the last three years – the way he’s gone about it in the VFL,” he said.

“He’s never cried poor me; he’s just put his head down and worked at his deficiencies.

“He’s a very well-rounded player. He can go through the middle, he can forward, his impact on the game has doubled.

“He was a high-numbers midfielder. Now, he’s maybe not getting the same amount of stats, but the impact he’s having on the game – the tackle numbers, the clearances, the goals he’s kicking – it’s awesome to see.”